Warsaw, Poland

After four days of luxuriating in London we were all chomping at the bit to get back to work. An early bag call and departure from the hotel to meet up with the rest of the boys at Northolt Air Field where our trusty Legacy was waiting. Everyone looking well rested and all agreed it was a much needed break. The English sky was something out of a John Constable painting, bright blue with great formations of clouds, white, grey, shades of pink and yellow, as only an English sky can be. A great day for a flight.

With an hour time change, we arrived in Warsaw at the Fryderyk Chopin Airport. Chopin was born in the village of Zelazowa Wola, in the Duchy of Warsaw and is Poland's greatest composer. I love the nocturnes. A short drive to the venue, Torwar. This was the site of our show in 2005. We all remembered the venue because of a sewage problem they seemed to have last time that reeked throughout the back stage area and dressing rooms. We also remembered the fabulous audience we had here. They seem to have cleared up that funky smell, but it is a very strange back stage. A warren of concrete tunnels, stairs, twists and turns, the floors covered in a very slippery grey tile. Maybe it was the shoes I was wearing, I suppose if I had rubber soles it might be alright but I nearly went down a sharp flight of stairs with both arms full of instruments taking them to the meet and greet room. I'm happy to report that didn't happen. As for the m&g it was another snappy affair, better all the time.

As for the gig, I might be going out on a limb but think this was the best show yet and the audience was just as we'd remembered, wildly appreciative. From the very first downbeat of the set to the last note, singing, clapping and going absolutely mad for what seemed like minutes after each tune. What an audience, what a gig. Here's to Warsaw, we can't wait to come back.

Immediately following the final bow we were straight into the waiting cars and heading back to Chopin airport. On board the Legacy and after 40 minutes, a couple of martinis and some very delicious wild rice and chicken stroganoff, we landed in Berlin where we sleep tonight and play tomorrow.

So long,

Richard